UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT AGED LOGGED-OVER FORESTS ON THE GREAT ARGUS (ARGUSIANUS ARGUS) (LINNAEUS) AT SUNGAI

LALANG FOREST RESERVE, MALAYSIA

SENGRATH PHIRASACK

FH 2001 17

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT AGED LOGGED-OVER FORESTS ON THE GREAT ARGUS (ARGUSIANUS ARGUS) (LINNAEUS) AT SUNGAI LALANG

FOREST RESERVE, MALAYSIA

By

SENGRATH PHIRASACK

Thesis Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in Faculty of Forestry

Universiti Putra Malaysia

January 2001

Jo my Wife, Children, parentd, Sidler and Brother

11

Abstract of thesis presented to the Senate ofUniversiti Putra Malaysia in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science

EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT AGED LOGGED-OVER FORESTS ON THE GREAT ARGUS (ARGUSIANUS ARGUS) (LINNAEUS) AT SUNGAI LALANG

FOREST RESERVE, MALAYSIA

By

SENGRATH PHIRASACK

January 2001

Chairman: Mohamed Zakaria Hussin, Ph.D.

Faculty: Forestry

The Great Argus (Argusianus argus argus) is a moderately large size bird compared to

other pheasant species. It belongs to the family Phasianidae and subfamily

Argusianinae. This subspecies of Great Argus is found in most lowland and hill

Dipterocarp forests up to 8 1 8 m above sea level, but is absent from heavily disturbed

and fragmented forest sites. The species is considered a threatened species even though

it is widely distributed throughout Peninsular Malaysia.

An in-depth study of the Great Argus was conducted in three different areas i.e. Virgin

Jungle Reserve (VJR), ten-year-old logged forest (C33) and five-year-old logged forest

(CI 8) at Sungai Lalang Forest Reserve, Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia. The purpose of

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the study was to examine the distribution of the Great Argus at different elevations, to

determine the population density in Virgin Jungle Reserve a well as logged forest and to

compare its density in relation to the microclimate, microhabitat and arthropod

abundance.

Data was collected from October 1998 until May 1999 using the Line Transect Method

(LTM). The distribution and population densities of the Great Argus was conducted by

line transect survey. The position of calling males was mapped.

The Great Argus was more abundant in the primary than in the logged forest and waS

mostly found at elevations of 150 to 400 m a.s.l. The densities in primary forest (VJR)

and old logged forest (C33) were 3 birdslkm2 and 2 birdslkm2 respectively. In the

recently logged forest (C1 8), the number of observations was too small to estimate the

density.

Among the three compartments, the population density was significantly higher in

Virgin Jungle Reserve than in either old or recently logged forest (F = 8.91, P < 0.001).

The results also indicated that the relative abundance of the bird was significantly higher

in the Virgin Jungle Forest Reserve ( 1 . 1 9 birds/observation) as compared to recently

logged forest (C1 8) (0.06 birds/observation). There was no significant difference

between the old logged forest (0.85 birds/observation) and Virgin Jungle Reserve.

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The microhabitat, microclimate and food sources are important factors that relate to the

population of Great Argus. The fIndings showed that the population density declined due

to changes in the microhabitat, microclimate and food sources. In terms of microhabitat,

there were fewer palms, climbers, less shade and litter cover in logged forest compared

to the virgin forest. In terms of microclimate, the study also showed that light intensity

and temperature were higher whilst relative humidity was lower in the logged forest.

The food sources, namely arthropods, were also lower in the logged forest. Thus, it is

recommended that logging activities must take into account factors to minimise the

changes in the microhabitat, the microclimate and the food sources so as to prevent the

decline in the population of the Great Argus.

v

Abstrak tesis dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia sebagai memenuhi keperluan untuk ijazah Master Sains

KESAN PERBEZAAN UMUR RUTAN SELEPAS TEBANGAN TERHADAP KUANG RA YA (ARGUSIANUS ARGUS) (LINNAEUS) DI RUTAN SIMP AN

SUNGAI LALANG, SELANGOR, SEMENANJUNG MALAYSIA

Oleh

SENGRATR PHIRASACK

Januari 2001

Pengerusi: Dr. Mohamed Zakaria Russin

Fakulti: Perhutanan

Kuang raya atau "Malay Great Argus" (Argusianus argus argus) adalah sejenis burung

kuang besar dibandingkan dengan spesies burung yang lain. Ia termasuk di dalam famili

Phasianidae dan subfamili Argusianinae. Kebiasaannya, subspesies burung kuang ini

dijumpai di hutan tanah rendah dan hutan dipterokarp bukit sehingga ke kawasan 8 1 8 ill

dari aras laut, tetapi ia tidak dijumpai di kawasan yang mengalami gangguan teruk dan

berkelompok. Pada keseluruhannya spesies ini merupakan spesies terancam walaupun

ia I?asih lagi terdapat di seluruh Semenanjung Malaysia.

Satu kajian terperinci terhadap Kuang Raya telah dijalankan pada tiga kawasan terpilih,

iaitu hutan primer (VJR), hutan sepuluh tahun selepas tebangan (Kompatmen 33) dan vi

hutan lima tahun selepas tebangan (Kompatmen 18), di Hutan Simpan Sungai Lalang,

Selangor, Semenanjung Malaysia. Matlamat projek ini adalah untuk mengkaji taburan

Kuang Raya pada pelbagai altitud, untuk menentukan kepadatan populasi di hutan

primer beshanding hutan yang telah dibalak dan untuk mengkaji perbezaan kepadatan

populasi serta hubungannya dengan mikroklimat, mikrohabitat dan banyaknya

arthropoda.

Kutipan data dijalankan daripada Oktober 1998 hingga Ogos 1999 dengan menggunakan

kaedah garis transek (LTM). Taburan dan kepadatan populasi Kuang Raya pula

dianggarkan melalui kaedah transek survei. Kedudukan kuang jantan yang berbunyi

juga dipetakan.

Kuang Raya lebih banyak dijumpai di hutan primer berbanding dengan hutan yang telah

dibalak dan biasa dijumpai pada ketinggian 150 hingga 400 m daripada aras laut.

Kepadatan populasi di hutan primer (VJR) dan hutan balak matang (C33) adalah 3

burung/km2 dan 2 burung!km2 masing-masing. Pada hutan yang baru dibalak (C18),

jumlah pemerhatian adalah terlalu rendah untuk membuat anggaran kepadatan.

Di antara ketiga-tiga kompatmen, kepadatan populasi secara signifikan lebih tinggi di

hutan primer berbanding dengan hutan balak matang atau hutan baru dibalak (F = 8.91,

P < 0.001). Keputusan juga menunjukkan bahawa jumlah relatif Kuang Raya secara

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signifikan lebih tinggi di hutan primer (VJR) (1.19 burung/pemerhatian) berbanding

hutan baru dibalak (CI 8) (0.06 burung/pemerhatian). Tiada perbezaan yang signifikan

didapati diantara hutan balak matang (C33) (0.085 burung/pemerhatian) dan hutan

primer (VJR).

Mikrohabitat, mikroklimat dan sumber makanan adalah faktor-faktor yang penting untuk

populasi Kuang Raya. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa kepadatan populasi berkurang

an apabila mikrohabitat, mikroklimat dan sumber makanan berubah. Dari segi

mikrohabitat, didapati bilangan palma, pemanjat, naungan dan sarap hutan adalah lebih

kecil berbanding dengan hutan primer. Dari segi mikroklimat, kajian menunjukkari

bahawa intensiti cahaya dan suhu adalah lebih tinggi manakala kelembapan relatif

adalah lebih rendah di hutan yang telah dibalak. Sumber makanan, terutamanya

arthropod, juga lebih rendah di hutan yang telah dibalak. Oleh yang demikian,

dicadangkan agar aktiviti pembalakan mempertimbangkan bagaimana mengurangkan

perubahan dalam mikrohabitat, mikroklimat dan sumber makanan yang mana mencegah

pengurangan populasi Kuang Raya.

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ACKNOWLEGEMENTS

All praises be to God whose countless blessings enabled me to accomplish this study.

First and foremost, I would like to extend my most sincere and deep appreciation to my

supervisor, Dr. Mohamed Zakaria Russin for his concern, invaluable advice,

suggestions, guidance and encouragement throughout the study period. My most sincere

thanks and appreciation also go to my co-supervisors Dr. Abdullah Mohd and Associate

Prof. Dr. Ahmad Said Sajap for their encouragement, assistance, useful comments and

suggestions during the study.

I am greatly thankful to the Lao government, the staff of the Lao Forestry Department,

and the Lao-Swedish Forestry Programme, for granting me the scholarship and allowing

me to leave and pursue this postgraduate programme in Malaysia.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the Dean of the Faculty of

Forestry, Universiti Putra Malaysia, for the permission given to undertake this study.

My sincere appreciation goes to all lecturers and staff of the Faculty of Forestry for their

help during the study period.

ix

My sincere thanks are also due to various individuals who have extended their help and

cooperation during my study period, particularly Mr. Rahim Mudin, research assistants

and other students working on the project at Sungai Lalang Forest Reserve.

My heartfelt thanks are extended to my brother and sister for their love and support

throughout my study. I would like to express my special, deepest thanks and love

towards my wife and children, for their inspiration, love, sacrifice, patience, continuous

support and encouragement during the entire study period. Lastly, I express my

gratitude to my parents, the invisible power, for providing me with the continuous

energy to undertake this study.

x

I certify that an Examination Committee met on 1 9 January 2001 to conduct the fmal examination of Sengrath Phirasack on his Master of Science thesis entitled "Effects of Different Aged Logged-Over Forests on the Great Argus (Argusianus argus) (Linnaeus) at Sungai Lalang Forest Reserve, Malaysia" in accordance with Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Act 1 980 and Universiti Pertanain Malaysia (Higher Degree) Regulations, 1981. The committee recommends that the candidate be awarded the relevant degree. Members of the Examination Committee are as follows:

AHMAD AINUDDIN NURUDIN, D.F Lecturer Faculty of Forestry Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman)

MOHAMED ZAKARIA RUSSIN, Ph.D. Lecturer Faculty of Forestry Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)

ABDULLAH MOHD, Ph.D. Lecturer Faculty of Forestry Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)

AHMAD SAID SAJAP, Ph.D. Associate Professor Faculty of Forestry Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)

-

. GRAZALI MORA YIDIN, Ph.D. ProfessorlDeputy Dean of Graduate School, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Date: f1 9 MAR 2001

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This thesis submitted to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia and has been accepted as fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science.

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MOHD. GHAZALI MOHAYIDIN, Ph.D. Professor Deputy Dean of Graduate School Universiti Putra Malaysia

Date:

I hereby declare that the thesis is based on my original work except for quotations and citations, which have been duly acknowledged. I also declare that it has not been previously or concurrently submitted for any other degree at UPM or other institutions.

SENGRA TH PHIRASACK

Date: lb. 03. 2. 001

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page ABSTRACT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . .. .iii ABSTRAK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ......................................................................... .ix APPROVAL SflEETS ............................................................................. xi DECLARATION FORM ......................................................................... xii LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................ xvi LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................... xix LIST OF PLA'fES .. ................................................................................ xx LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................... xxi

CHAPTER

I INTRODUCTION . ... . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . ... .. . . . . . . . . . . . ... . .. 1 Problem Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . ..... . .. ... . . ..... . . . ... . . . ..... . . . ... . . ...... . . . ....... 2 Objectives of the Study .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . ... . . ... . ..... . .. . . . . ... . . .. 4

General Objective . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . 4 Specific Objectives .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ 4

Structure of Thesis . . . . . . . . . ... . .. . . .. . . . ... . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 5

IT LITERATURE REVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . .. . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Forest Habitat . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . .. ...... . . . . . . . ..... . ... . . . .. . . . . . . . . .... . . . . .... 6 Distribution of Pheasants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . . . . .. . ... . . . . . . . ... . . . . . 8 Distribution of Great Argus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Population Density of Great Argus . . . . . .. . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . 20 Biology of the Great Argus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . ... . . . . . . . ...... 20 Effects of Logging on Flora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . .... . .... . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 23 Effects of Logging on bird Populations . . . . . .... . ... . , .................................. 24 Effects of Logging on Food Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . ..... . . . . . . . ...... . .... . . . . . .. .26 Effects of Logging on Microhabitat . . . . .... . . . .. . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . .... ....... 27 Effects of Logging on Microclimate . . . . . ... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... ..... . . ..... . .. . ... 29

ITI MATERIALS AND METHODS . . . ... . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .... . . . .... .30 Study Sites . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . 30

Virgin Jungle Forest Reserve . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . .. . . . . . . . .. . . ... . . . .... 30 Ten-year Old Logged Forest . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Five-year Old Logged Forest . . . . ..... . ... . . . ..... . . . . . . . . .... .. . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 36 Establishment of Permanent Transect Line . . .... ... . ... . . .. . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Bird Survey Methods . . . . . .. . ..... . . . ... . ...... . .. . ... . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . ......... 38

Observations on Microhabitat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Establishment of Permanent Sample Plots . . ... . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

xiv

Recording Microclimate ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... . .. . .. . . 41 Arthropod Collection . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . .... . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . ...... . . . .. 43

Pitfall Traps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . ... . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... .... . . ........ . . 43 Data Analyses . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . ....... . . 44

IV RESULTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . ... . 45 Distribution of Great Argus . . . . . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . ..... . .. . . . . . . ... . . . .. .. . . .... . . . ... .45

Virgin Jungle Reserve . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . ....... . .... ... . ... . . 46 Old Logged Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . ... . . .. . . .. .. . ..... .. . . . ... 46 Recently Logged Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . ... . ... ... ... . . . . . . . . . . ....... . . . . . . 47

Population Density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . ... ... ... . . . . . . . 52 Population of Pheasants . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... ... . . . ... 52 Density of Pheasants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .... . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . ... .. . . 53 Density of Great Argus . . . . . ... . . . . . . ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. ... . ..... . . . . ... . . 53 Number of Observations of Pheasant Species at Different Sites . . . ..... . .. 54 Number of Observations of Great Argus at Different Sites ..... . . ......... 55 Microhabitat Variables at Different Sites . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . .... . . ... ...... . . .... 56 Microclimate Variables at Different Sites ... . .. . . . . . . . .... ... . . . .. . . ... . . ...... 60 Arthropods Population at the Different Sites ... . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . ... . ..... 62

V DISCUSSION . ... . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... ...... . . . . . 66 Distribution of Great Argus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . .. . . .. 66 Population Density . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . ........ . . . . 67 Comparison of the Great Argus Population Density and Microhabitat, Microclimate and Arthropod Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . ... . ........... 68

VI CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .......... . .. 73

REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . ... . . .... . . ...... ... 75

Appendix A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . .. 83 Summary ofField Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....... . ... 83

Appendix B . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . ..... ..... ....... ... 116 Summary of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and output of Line Transect Method using Distance Version 2.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . .......... . .. . . . 116

VIODATA OF AUTHOR . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .... . .... . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . 166

xv

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

2 . 1 Forest Habitat Types in Peninsular Malaysia ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2 . 2 Distribution of High Density Species of Pheasants in Selected Areas of Asia .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 1 0

2 .3 Comparative Altitudinal Distribution of Pheasants in Peninsular Malaysia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . 1 3

2.4 Distribution of Great Argus throughout Peninsular Malaysia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8

2 .5 Methods Used to Estimate Population Density of Pheasants . . . . . ..... . . . . . . . . .... . .. 2 1

4. 1 Number of Great Argus in Different Study Sites with Respect to Elevation . . . . .. 45

4.2 Total Density of Pheasant (all species combined) at Different Sites at Sungai Lalang Forest Reserve ( 1998-1 999) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

4.3 Number of Observations of Pheasant at Different Sites (by Audio and Visual) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 53

4.4 Total Density of Great Argus at Different Sites in Sungai Lalang Forest Reserve ( 1998-1 999) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

4.5 Result of Dun an's Multiple Range Test on Mean of Pheasants at Different Sites (by Audio and Visual) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

4.6 Result of Dun an's Multiple Range Test on Mean of Great Argus at Different Sites (by Audio) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . 56

4.7 Result of Dun an's Multiple Range Test on Mean of Microhabitat Variable Records at Different Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

4.8"

Result of Dunan's Multiple Range Test on Mean Percentage of Microhabitat Variable Records at Different Sites ... . . . . . . . . . . ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

4.9 Result of Dun an's Multiple Range Test on Mean Temperature at Different Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . .. 60

xvi

4. 1 0 Result of Dunan's Multiple Range Test on Mean Relative Humidity at Different Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1

4. 1 1 Result of Dunan's MUltiple Range Test on Mean Light Intensity at Different Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 62

4. 1 2 Number of Arthropods trapped at Different Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

4. 1 3 Result of Dunan's Multiple Range Test on Mean of Coleopterans in Different Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

4. 14 Result ofDunan's Multiple Range Test on Mean of Dipterans at Different Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Al Summary of Pheasants Species at Different Study Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

A2 Number of Visits on Each Line Transect and in Each Compartment at Different Sites in Sungai L�lang Forest Reserve ( 1998-1 999) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

A3 Total Number of Observations of Each Species at Different Sites in Sungai Lalang Forest Reserve (1 998-1 999) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

A4 Total Percentage of Observations at Different Sites in Sungai Lalang Forest Reserve ( 19.98- 1999) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

A5 Total Number of Observations Based on Audio and Visual at Different Sites in Sungai Lalang Forest Reserve ( 1998-1 999) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

A6 Summary of Microhabitat Variables at Different Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

A7 Summary of Microc1imate Variables at Different Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

A8 Arthropod Counts at Different Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " . . . . .. . 99

B l Summary of Analysis of Variance on Pheasants observed at Different Sites (by Audio and Visual) . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 6

B2 Summary of Analysis of Variance on Great Argus recorded at Different Sites (by Audio) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 6

B3 Summary of Analysis of Variance on Palm at Different Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 6

xvii

B4 Summary of Analysis of Variance on Climber at Different Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 1 7

B5 Summary of Analysis of Variance on Amount of Shade at Different Sites . . .... 1 1 7

B6 Summary of Analysis of Variance on Litter Cover at Different Sites . . . . . .... . . . 1 1 7

B7 Summary of Analysis of Variance on Temperature at Different Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 8

B8 Summary of Analysis of Variance on Relative Humidity at Different Sites . . . . 1 1 8

B9 Summary of Analysis of Variance on Light Intensity at Different Sites . . . . . .... 1 1 8

B lO Summary of Analysis of Variance on Coleoptera at Different Sites . . . . . . . . ..... . 1 1 9

B 1 1 Summary of Analysis of Variance on Diptera at Different Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 1 1 9

B 1 2 Summary of Input and Output Analysis of Pheasant Observations in Primary Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 20

B 1 3 Summary of Input and Output Analysis of Pheasant Observations in Logged Forest . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . 1 3 1

B 14 Summary of Input and Output Analysis of Great Argus Records in Primary Forest . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . 143

B 1 5 Summary of Input and Output Analysis of Great Argus Records in Logged Forest . . . . . . . . ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . ... . . . . . 1 54

xviii

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page

2.1 Species-Diversity Map of Pheasant Population in Asia .......................... 12

2.2 Distribution of Bornean Malay and Sumatra races of Great Argus ............ 1 6

2.3 Map showing Distribution of Great Argus throughout Peninsular Malaysia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7

3.1 Map of Peninsular Malaysia showing Study Area at Sungai Lalang Forest Reserve, Selangor, ..................................................................... 3 1

3.2 Map of Sungai Lalang Forest Reserve showing Recently Logged Forest (C1 8), Old Logged Forest (C33) and Virgin Jungle Reserve (VJR) Study Sites .............................................................................. 32

3.3 Map ofthe Virgin Jungle Reserve (VJR) at Sungai Lalang Forest Reserve showing the Location of Transect Lines, Sample Plots of

Microhabitat and Pitfall Traps ........................................................ 33

3.4 Map of the Old Logged Forest (C33) at Sungai Lalang Forest Reserve showing the Location of Transect Lines, Sample Plots of Microhabitat and Pitfall Traps ...................................................... 36

3.5 Map of the Recently Logged Forest (C1 8) at Sungai Lalang Forest Reserve showing the Location of Transect Lines, Sample Plots of Microhabitat and Pitfall Traps ...................................................... 37

4.1 Map of the Virgin Jungle Reserve (VJR) at Sungai Lalang Forest Reserve showing Distribution of Great Argus ............................................... .49

4.2 Map of the Old Logged Forest (C33) at Sungai Lalang Forest Reserve showing Distribution of Great Argus ............................................... 50

4,3 Map of the Recently Logged Forest (C 1 8) at Sungai Lalang Forest Reserve showing Distribution of Great Argus ................................................ 5 1

xix

LIST OF PLATES

Plate Page

3 . 1 Equipment used i n Transect Line Surveys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

3.2 Equipment used to Measure the Weather Conditions . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

4. 1 The Male captive Great Argus (Argusianus argus) . . . . ...... . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 48

4.2 A feather of the Great Argus found at the study sites . . . . . . . . ... . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

xx

a.s.l.

ANOVA

EBA

C

DF

km

km2

m

mm

MS

SE

SS

UKM

VJR

C33

CIS

DMRT

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

Above see level

Analysis of Variance

Endemic Bird Area

Compartment

Degrees of Freedom

Kilometre

Kilometre square

Metre

Millimetre

Mean Square

Standard error

Sum of Squares

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Virgin Jungle Reserve or Compartment VJR

Old Logged Forest or Compartment 33

Recently Logged Forest or Compartment 1 8

Duncan's Multiple Range Test

xxi

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

The most recent review of the world's birds estimates that 1 ,029 species are now

globally threatened (Collar and Andrew 1 988). Of the 256 species of Galliformes

currently described, 68 species are now considered to be globally threatened and 39

(58 percent) of these species are found in Asia (Collar and Andrew 1 988). Within

Asia, 43 species of Galliforms were identified as being restricted range species;

including 28 species that are considered globally threatened. Amongst the 39

globally threatened species of Galliforms occurring in Asia, 82 percent occur in at

least one Endemic Bird Area (EBA) and only five globally threatened non-restricted

range Galliforms are not found in an EBA (Eames and Rands, 1 992).

All pheasants are totally protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1 972 amended

in 1 976 (Siti Hawa, 1 992). Keeping, possessing and trading them are offences

against this legislation, unless a special permit is held from the Minister of Science

and Environment.

Many tropical countries, especially in Southeast Asia, are concerned with the effects

of selective logging on fauna and flora. Logging practices have caused reduction in

of forest areas and problems to wildlife conservation, particularly, the wildlife

population of birds such as Great Argus. Loss of habitat greatly affects wildlife

2

resources in tropical forests. The tropical forest is an extremely valuable economic

resource for the South-east Asian countries. Unfortunately, the area of such forest

under any type of protection is less than 5% of the total forested area worldwide

(Skorupa, 1 986; John, 1 992).

Selective timber logging affects the avifauna in many ways (Zakaria and Nordin,

1 998). Most bird communities are adversely affected by logging. Terrestrial species

and under storey insectivores are among the most deleteriously affected. The decrease

in species diversity suggests that forest disturbance may favour generalist over

specialist terrestrial birds (Zakaria and Nordin, 1 998).

Zainudin (1 996) reported that the terrestrial birds were the worst affected after

logging. Johns (1 983) suggested that terrestrial birds were less able to cope with the

harsher environmental changes in the understorey of logged forest and the limited

availability of suitable foraging ground and vegetative cover.

Problem Statement

Logging in dipterocarp forests of South-east Asia has considerably changed the

forest, both as a result of initial felling damage and alteration of forest growth

dynamics (Johns, 1 988 and Whitmore, 1 99 1). Such activity has increasingly affected

the population density, microclimate, microhabitat and food resources of the Great

Argus.

3

McGowan and Garson (1 995) defmed habitat loss as all forms of modification to

habitat structure that lead to a reduction in the extent or quality of habitat available

for a particular taxon. The causes of habitat loss range from felling of large blocks of

forest through selective logging, to habitat degradation resulting from the excessive

impact of domestic stock grazing, to urban development.

Although pheasants occur in some of the least studied terrestrial environments, they

are among the most seriously impacted of all major bird groups as a result of human

exploitation and habitat destruction (Johnsgard, 1 986).

The precise population and distribution status of the Great Argus has not been well

documented. To understand the importance of logged forest areas in the future

survival of the species or to develop any type of management plan would require

advanced knowledge and understanding of the species distribution, population

density and recovery of the species in the logged forest.

There is little information on the ecology, especially in terms of food resources and

environmental requirements, of the Great Argus in Malaysia. Information on the

food and feeding preferences is useful in analysing the animal dispersal as well as

distribution. It is also important in formulating sound and appropriate management

or conservation strategies.